68. Mira

sixty-eight

Mira

After gathering those waiting behind barricaded doors in the palace, we spend the rest of the night helping put out flames and excavate fallen buildings looking for survivors. My Chroma depletes over and over again. With each single drop that refills my magical well, I spend it as fast as it comes. Whether it's using air to lift piles or stone or water to douse flames.

It's almost lunch the following day when my body is no longer running on adrenaline and threatens to collapse with exhaustion. Lisa pulls me to the side, giving me water and a baguette while we rest in the shade. I rest my head on her shoulder, watching the people of this city come together in the light of this tragedy, already planning to rebuild better.

"I think you've done enough, don't you?" Lisa asks, biting into her own piece of bread while looking at the debris-covered streets. "You're going to kill yourself if you keep going."

I groan in response, my eyes heavy with fatigue. She's right, but it feels like the work is never ending. "Takes more than this to kill me. Can't you tell? I'm basically indestructible."

"I knew all that magic would go to your head."

I chuckle softly, daring for just a moment to close my eyes against the warmth of her shirt. "Any sign of your friends?"

I sense it more than see it as she shakes her head. "Hopefully, they're long gone from here. But I gave descriptions to your groupies just in case."

"My groupies?"

"Those guys follow you around like lost puppies. Not to mention the entire city. Look at how they fawn over you. You saved them."

There's admiration and awe in her voice as she talks about me. I open my mouth to argue. To explain how I only helped, and the others did the real work. But, I stop myself. Because I did save them. I defeated Yurghen, without Dan'thiel's help this time. So instead I say, "All I'm saying is that they better build me a damn statue. A fountain statue. With real gold."

"And holy water."

I open my eyes and spot Cor'than marching our way. Behind him, Amirah gives me a salute of respect. Thankfully, Elora was found late last night under some rubble. She's recovering well, I hear.

I sigh, sitting up straight to receive his next command. But when he approaches, something changes in his gait. It moves from purposeful strides to a tentative dance. Then I notice his eyes aren't on me at all. He's staring at Lisa.

I glance between them, realizing this is my chance to escape another set of cleanup orders. I quickly make an excuse about needing to rest and slip away, but neither of them seem to notice my exit.

I snake my way through the crowded streets towards the palace, picturing my pillow when I feel the arrival of Bobble beside me. Like me, he's spent every drop of his magic healing those who could be saved. His arm wraps around my waist as we walk in comfortable silence. It doesn't take long for the others to find us, each spent and exhausted. With all the critical work seemingly done, I guess none of us feel guilty about taking a break.

Suddenly, Bobble stops walking and I stumble forward a step before realizing he's not at my side. "What is it?" I ask, squinting up into his face. His amber eyes flicker with something I can't quite read.

"I just… can't go on. Carry me," he says with such melodrama as he transforms into the tiny orange tabby cat.

"Oh, so this is how we're doing it now," I grumble and laugh at the same time, scooping him up into my arms. He nudges his furry head against my chest, letting out a soft purr. "Fine, be a cat."

I march on toward the palace, Bobble tucked safely in my arms as I nuzzle his soft fur with my nose. Callum walks side by side with Tairyn and Sunder, but no feelings of jealousy pulse through our bond.

And when my head hits the pillow in my room, Bobble curled up by my side, I feel at peace for the first time in a very, very long time.